Protect the rights of Barnet and Camden EU citizens, urges Assembly Member

As the Brexit Bill reaches the final stages in the House of Lords this week, Local Labour Assembly Member Andrew Dismore has urged the Government not to overturn a vote which would protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. Mr Dismore described the 60,000 EU citizens who live in Barnet and Camden as ‘vital’ to the economy, and said they make a valuable contribution to our community.

The House of Lords voted 358 to 256 to pass the amendment, which would require the Government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK within three months of article 50 being triggered. However the Government have stated their intention to overturn this when the Bill moves back to the Commons.

According to the latest figures, there are 60,000 aged 16 to 64 living in Barnet and Camden. Across London, 600,000 of the five million jobs in London are held by workers born in EU countries, and EU workers make up a third of the employees in the hospitality and tech sectors. Overall EU citizens make up 12% of London’s population.

It is expected that article 50 will be triggered on March 15th.

Mr Dismore, said:

“I welcome the vote in the House of Lords to protect the rights of EU workers already in the UK and would urge the Government not to overturn it. The 60,000 EU citizens living in Barnet and Camden make a valuable contribution to our community and are vital to our economy.  A ‘hard Brexit’ would do untold damage to the prosperity of our city.

 

“The Government must consider London’s needs when it decides on new immigration rules after the UK leaves the EU, so London’s economy does not suffer. A fast-track visa system for highly-skilled EU workers is critical and any new system should recognise the need for a transitional period as it is not possible simply to fill the jobs with UK workers in the short term.

 

“The point needs to be made that EU citizens that live and work in Barnet and Camden and across the capital are Londoners. The diversity of our city is its greatest strength. We cannot let it be destroyed by a Government that is putting ideology above what is best for our borough, our city, and our country.”

 

 

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